Gilmore Hammond

The Mark of Cain

An unusual story about the crossing paths of the poor Italian family of the sculptor Giovanni (Lon Chaney) and a reckless American millionaire, Cyrus Kirkham (Gilmore Hammond).

Wealthy Jack Stimson (Jay Belasco) falls in love with Broadway diva Velma Vrooman (Gretchen Lederer), and for her sake bankrolls the musical production in which she is currently starred. But when Velma proves to be fickle and unreliable, Jack shifts his affections to humble chorus girl Bobbie (Louise Lovely).

Although Kenneth Carmont and Esther Saunders, criminal Bert Saunders' sister, love each other, Esther marries detective Elwood Collins, who agrees to stop pursuing Bert if she accepts his proposal. One night, Kenneth and Esther hide Bert, who has escaped from the police. The same night, Kenneth's father is murdered. The evidence implicates Kenneth, who cannot supply his whereabouts at the time of the crime, as that would give away Bert. Esther cannot clear Kenneth for the same reason, and because it would let her husband know that she was with her former sweetheart.

John, the janitor, has a pet monkey that accompanies him on his different jobs. Because of the monkey's wonderful ability, John is given a post of janitor in one of the large hotels.

Archie, a man well past the age of forty-five proposes to Mildred, a young and pretty girl and is rejected. Fred, her youthful lover then enters and does the same thing and is accepted. As Fred leaves the house, it is very windy and a young lady passing by gets some dust in her eyes. He tries to assist and from Mildred's window it appears that he is embracing he young lady.